Halifax marks sixth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with ceremonies, closures and fundraising
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, marks the sixth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Nova Scotia. While not a provincial statutory holiday, government offices, public schools and regulated child care are closed. Events across the Halifax Regional Municipality include memorial ceremonies, film screenings, a mayoral proclamation and fundraising efforts by the Mi'kmaw Friendship Centre.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, marks the sixth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. The day honours children who died attending residential schools and survivors affected by the legacy of the system. Although it is designated as a federal statutory holiday, it is not a statutory holiday in Nova Scotia. Government offices, public schools and regulated child care facilities in the province will be closed.
Across the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), several events are planned to mark the occasion. Sipekne'katik First Nation will hold events at the residential school memorial site in Shubenacadie starting at 10 a.m. The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 will screen Indigenous-created short films from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering free admission for Indigenous people. At All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Halifax, author Chris Benjamin will discuss the legacies of the Shubenacadie Residential School.
Mayor Andy Fillmore is slated to read a proclamation at 1:30 p.m. at Peace and Friendship Park on Hollis Street. Halifax City Hall will be illuminated orange until Friday, Oct. 2.
The Mi'kmaw Friendship Centre in Halifax is hosting multiple events. Executive director Pam Glode-Desrochers noted that the centre reached close to 10,000 people through its programming this year. The centre is partnering with East Coast Lifestyle for orange T-shirt sales to fund a new location under construction on Gottingen Street. The new facility will be 70,000 sq. ft. A fundraising gala, the Kjipuktuk Wije’winen Gala, aims to raise $300,000 for the new development. The centre is also hosting a salmon dinner.
Public transit and municipal services will operate on modified schedules. Halifax Transit buses and ferries will run on a holiday schedule. All Halifax Transit buses will pull over at 2:15 p.m. for a moment of silence. There will be no Woodside ferry service on Wednesday. The Alderney ferry will run at half-hour frequency, with the first crossing at 7:30 a.m. and the final crossing at 11:45 p.m. Municipal solid waste collection services will see no change. On-street parking will be free on Wednesday. All city-run recreation facilities will be closed, and the 311 contact centre will be closed for full service, though urgent calls can still be reported.
Most grocery stores and drug stores will remain open. Shopping centres such as Halifax Shopping Centre and Mic Mac Mall will be open under reduced hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. NSLC stores, Halifax Public Libraries and all banks will be closed.